Kaepernick camp requests permission to seek trade

Some six hours after coach Chip Kelly insisted Colin Kaepernick “wants to be here,” the embattled quarterback launched an exit strategy.

Kaepernick’s representatives requested permission Thursday night to pursue a trade, a source close to the situation confirmed. NFL Media’s Rand Getlin first reported the news.

Such a move isn’t surprising based on how disenchanted Kaepernick has become, especially since his benching this past midseason.

Attempts to reach Kaepernick’s agents and the 49ers were not immediately returned.

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General manager Trent Baalke and Kelly painted an optimistic outlook for what now could become a contentious standoff over the next weeks. Kaepernick’s $11.9 million salary for 2016 becomes guaranteed April 1 if he remains on the roster, which Baalke predicted Wednesday would happen.

“He wants to be here. He’s never expressed to me that he didn’t want to be here,” Kelly said Thursday morning. “He expressed to me that he’s excited about getting healthy and getting going. And we’re excited about him getting healthy and getting going.”

Kaepernick has not publicly commented on his status. A source close to him doubted the sincerity of Baalke’s and Kelly’s olive-branch overtures this week.

Upon Kelly’s hiring last month, Kaepernick was unsure how he would be impacted because he had not spoken to Kelly, who’s still not allowed to discuss football matters with any player until the offseason program begins April 4.

Two offensive coordinators of AFC teams said anonymously that they would love to acquire Kaepernick, relishing the chance to revive a career that took hold during the 2012 season’s run to Super Bowl XLVII.

One NFC general manager said he thought the 49ers would keep Kaepernick to compete for his old job with Blaine Gabbert, who went 3-5 as his successor.

“I don’t know what the narrative is, that ‘Is he on the team? Is he not on the team?’ That’s never been a question,” Kelly said. “I’m excited about working with Colin.

“I’ve never thought, ‘I’m going to go to San Francisco and he’s not going to be there.’ I don’t know why everyone else looks at it that way, either.”

Kelly said had a face-to-face, meet-and-greet with Kaepernick last month, and that he’s checked in with him over the phone to get updates on Kaepernick’s rehabilitation from surgeries on his right thumb, left shoulder and left knee.

Baalke said Wednesday how excited the 49ers were for Kaepernick to get healthy and start working April 4 in the offseason program under Kelly, their new coach.

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When asked what they would do if Kaepernick’s feelings weren’t mutual, Baalke responded: “Once again, I don’t know where that’s coming from. I don’t get into speculation.”

Three years ago, the 49ers traded Alex Smith, Kaepernick’s predecessor, to the Kansas City Chiefs for a pair of second-round draft picks. Baalke cautioned against comparing the situations.

“I don’t know that Alex wanted to get out,” Baalke said Wednesday. “You’re getting into things that create speculation, so what good is it for us to speculate.”

A visible divide between Kaepernick and the 49ers went public three months ago, when he went on injured reserve with a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

That injury resulted in surgery, but it was not performed by the 49ers’ medical staff, nor were those last month on his thumb and knee last month.

“A lot of people in the league go for second opinions and go to other places,” Kelly said.

The more Kelly talked about Kaepernick’s plight, the more he dismissed it as a media-brewed conspiracy theory to undermine a quarterback, one whose locker-room standing was the subject of negative leaks over the past year.

Said Kelly: “I think people are looking for like a second gunman or something. You know what I mean? I think he’s a really talented football player and I’m excited to get working with him.”

As Kelly toured military bases last week from Europe to Africa to Afghanistan, one topic proved unavoidable for the new 49ers coach: Is Kaepernick going to be his quarterback?

“Yeah, it was interesting, they all want to know about Kap,” Kelly said with a laugh. “I told them the same thing I told you: we’re getting ready to work with him on April 4th, so we’re excited.”

Cam Inman

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Now that all the ridiculous BS is out of the way, let’s see what the league is willing to offer..

JimmyEatsHotDogs

They will make a trade before the draft…… no problem be happy!

GrPeHa

“I don’t know that Alex wanted to get out,” Baalke said. That’s just effin’ absurd. Smith made it know he wanted out so he could start rather than sit on the bench behind Kaep. Baalke lies every time he opens his mouth, and he insults the intelligence of 49ers fans. Makes it kinda hard to root for the team I grew up loving.

Ronald Rupert

To me that was one snake bite of someone that don’t want Kap on the niners, until
something really happens, I will believe he is a niner.

The Wisdom Cow

I miss the 49ers. These Santa Clara Jed! have an embarrassing front office.

spamonwry

Well, it looks to me like the 49ers front office has once again shot themselves in the foot…. Trench ballllllkey jeddy boy & Kelly all got some ‘splainin’ to do. Of course, every time one of them opens his mouth, they just spew manure! The 49er front office staff, including and especially Jed York, need to start handling the team and its professionals like professionals! Seems to me they talk nice & then stab their players in the back while doing it. I predict another 49er year of chaos…. After 15 years of mismanagement of a flagship football team, I think it’s time for the Yorks to think about selling the team.

Da.city

Kelly sounds like another York goof ball.

Guy LeDouche

How refreshing would it be if Baalke said, “Look folks…I have no idea what I am doing. I am making this $#it up as we go along here. I bought a ticket to a 9ers game once and York hired me.”

I would respect him more for being honest.

WTF9999

Good grief where the heck does he think he’s going to end up as a starter? Cleveland?

FrankieB

Us Jets fans have interest !!

panz4ever

Now that Balke and Company know the Kap wants out they will keep hom hanging around until April and then cut him. Don’t see them allowing Kap’s agent to seek a deal elsewhere. Sure they could go for position players and draft picks in return but I think the asking price will be too high. Beside this is the 49ers way now…lies, lies and more damn lies.

WTF9999

But the Jets brass and players don’t.

WTF9999

His contract isn’t guaranteed until April 1st. So there’s no point in cutting him now and if he’s considered injured, his contract is guarantee. A trade can happen anytime. It’s pointless to cut him if you want to work out a trade.

Kaepernick should stop being a whiny cry baby and just play. Chip Kelly is his best option for rehabbing his game.